Richard T. Morgan

Richard Timothy Morgan (July 12, 1952 – October 10, 2018) was a Republican member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's fifty-second House district, including constituents in Moore County, for eight terms.[1]

Biography

Morgan was born in Southern Pines, North Carolina. He graduated from Pinecrest High School and received his associate in arts degree from Sandhills Community College. In 1974, Morgan received his bachelor's degree in political science from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Morgan was an insurance broker and cattle farmer from Pinehurst, North Carolina.[2][3]

Political career

In 2003, the House found itself evenly divided between Republicans and Democrats. Morgan led a Republican faction that agreed to form a coalition with the Democrats. The coalition elected two "co-speakers" of the House for the first time in state history, for the North Carolina General Assembly of 2003-2004. Speaker Jim Black, a Democrat, was called the "Democratic Speaker," and Morgan was called the "Republican Speaker." A number of Republicans—but less than a majority of the Republican caucus—considered Morgan's actions tantamount to betraying his party.

Rep. Morgan's actions gave him and Speaker Black control of redistricting in 2003, and allowed him to make some appointments to important committees. As Republican Leader, Morgan had also essentially run a statewide campaign leading to the election of five new Republicans and one loss for a net gain of five to help Republicans reach a majority. The state was said to have run more smoothly and more efficiently with the new leadership.

Rep. Morgan was removed from the North Carolina Republican Party's Executive Committee in May 2004 for "party disloyalty." [4] In the 2006 election he was defeated by a Republican opponent in the primary.[5]

In 2008, Morgan ran for North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction, losing to June Atkinson. In 2010, he ran for the State Senate but lost in the Republican primary to incumbent Harris Blake.[6]

Death

Morgan died on October 10, 2018 at the age of 66, at Duke University Medical Center, in Durham, North Carolina.[7]

References

  1. ↑ North Carolina Legislative Manual-2001-2002
  2. ↑ North Carolina Legislative Manual-2001-2002
  3. ↑ Richard F. Morgan-obituary
  4. ↑ Resolution - Moore County Republican Party, Moore County GOP, 2004-03-20
  5. ↑ News article - Boylan Beats Morgan, Moore County GOP, 2006-05-26
  6. ↑ State Board of Elections - Primary Election Results
  7. ↑ Robertson, Gary D. (October 11, 2018). "Former North Carolina House co-speaker Morgan dies at age 66". cbs17.com. Retrieved October 12, 2018.
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